Asking about direction of magnetic force

In summary, the conversation discusses the direction of magnetic force on a long wire with a current flowing from west to east and a magnetic field pointing into the page. The formula for the magnetic force on a moving charge is determined using Fleming's left hand rule, but there is confusion about the direction of the force. The solution is to follow the direction as on a map, with the current represented by the middle finger and the magnetic field by the index finger. The direction of the thumb in this scenario indicates the upward direction of the force.
  • #1
phyphysics
25
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I have a problem with a question that asked me to give the direction of magnetic force of a long wire with a current flowing from west to east horizontally with a magneitc field pointing into the page. What is the direction of the force and the motion afterwards?
 
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  • #2
The wire is made out of electrons flowing in the direction opposite of that of the current. What is the formula for the magnetic force on an moving charge?
 
  • #3
Use Fleming's left hand rule.
 
  • #4
But after opplying the rule, my thumb point in a direction that's away from me. But the suggested answer that the force is pointing upwards. How come?
 
  • #5
Follow the direction as on a map.

current is west to east means from left to right(middle finger)
magnetic field is into the paper (index finger)
where the thumb points? Is it upward

Dont confused with hand. Left hand.
 

FAQ: Asking about direction of magnetic force

What is the direction of the magnetic force?

The direction of the magnetic force is always perpendicular to both the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the charged particle's velocity. This direction can be determined using the right hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the particle's velocity, the fingers point in the direction of the magnetic field, and the palm indicates the direction of the magnetic force.

How can I determine the direction of the magnetic field using the direction of the magnetic force?

To determine the direction of the magnetic field using the direction of the magnetic force, you can use the right hand rule. If the magnetic force is pointing up, then the magnetic field must be pointing into the page. If the magnetic force is pointing down, then the magnetic field must be pointing out of the page.

What is the difference between the direction of the magnetic force and the direction of the magnetic field?

The direction of the magnetic force is the direction in which a charged particle will be pushed or pulled when placed in a magnetic field. The direction of the magnetic field is the direction in which a compass needle would point when placed in the same magnetic field. They are perpendicular to each other and can be determined using the right hand rule.

How does the direction of the magnetic force change if the charge or velocity of the particle changes?

If the charge of the particle changes, the direction of the magnetic force will also change. The greater the charge, the greater the force. If the velocity of the particle changes, the direction of the magnetic force will also change. The greater the velocity, the greater the force. However, as long as the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field remains the same, the direction of the magnetic force will not change.

What is the relationship between the direction of the magnetic force and the direction of motion of the charged particle?

The direction of the magnetic force is always perpendicular to the direction of motion of the charged particle. This means that the magnetic force will always act to change the direction of the particle's motion, but not its speed. This is why charged particles move in a circular path when placed in a magnetic field, as the force constantly acts to change the direction of their motion.

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